Being British - What does it mean to be british?

The increasing ethnic diversity of British society means it is difficult to define what makes someone British.

Tony Blair says that "blood alone" does not define national identity and that modern Britain was shaped by a "rich mix of all different ethnic and religious origins". These views were reflected by the Queen, who talked about "our richly multicultural and multi faith society" in her jubilee speech to Parliament.

British people should have an opportunity to express their personal views on what they are about We hear and read a lot about the irrelevancy of national identity by so called enlightened intellectuals but when an ordinary person spends over forty years of his working life in America and whose final wish was to be buried in the place of his birth We realize one of the most important influences in the majority of people is the feeling of belonging and having a national identity.

All countries have reason to be loved and cherished by their nationals whether they were born there or adopted so it is with Britain to this aim this site is dedicated to the British and we invite you to put down in no more than 150 words what it means for you to be British.

Being British.....Britishness is being proud of the country and the countries history as this is what makes the country how it is today. Following the rules and regulations is one of the biggest responsibilities that a British citizenship holds, ans this is one of the things that refelcts BritishnessKawal, Hounslow, England

The site is moderated which means that if your submission is anything other than what is intended that is your personal view of being British it will not be posted.

British citizens: people became British citizens on 1 January 1983 if they were citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies on 31 December 1982 and had the right of abode in the UK on that date. The most common ways for a person to become a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies before 1 January 1983: by birth in the UK, or in a place still a British colony; by naturalisation in the UK or a British colony; by registration as a citizen of the UK and Colonies by legislate descent from a father to whom the previous conditions applied.

(Prior to the introduction of the British Nationality Act 1981, a person could not claim nationality from his or her mother.)